Beaded chain-descending toy

ABSTRACT

This amusement device comprises a beaded chain string vertically under tension on which an action member is mounted for incremented descent thereupon. The action member comprises two loops fixedly and vertically displaced by a connector having a length such that when one loop surrounds a major diameter of one bead, the other loop is positioned between two other beads. The loops have internal diameters larger than the beads. There is a mechanical oscillator coupled laterally to the connector which, when oscillating, rocks the loops alternately from one side to another thereby enabling incremental descent of the action member.

ilit States Patent [72] Inventor Athelstan F. Spilhaus Box 37, Glndwyne, Pa. 19035 [2|] Appl. No. 813,783 [22] Filed Jan. 23, 1969 [45] Patented July 6, 1971 I 54] BEADED CllllAlN-DESCENDING TOY 9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 46/132, 58/ l [51] HnLCl... A63h 11/4 [50] Field oi rel! ..46/l30, 132

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,550,065 4/l95l Hallum 46/132 2,669,087 2/1954 Bredimus et al. 46/l 32 (X) Primary Examiner-F. Barry Shay Assistant Examiner-A. J. Heinz Attorneys-Nelson E. Kimmelman and Maleson, Kimmelman and Ratner ABSTRACT: This amusement device comprises a beaded chain string vertically under tension on which an action member is mounted for incremented descent thereupon. The action member comprises two loops fixedly and vertically displaced by a connector having a length such that when one loop surrounds a major diameter of one head, the other loop is positioned between two other beads. The loops have internal diameters larger than the beads. There is a mechanical oscillator coupled laterally to the connector which, when oscillating, rocks the loops alternately from one side to another thereby enabling incremental descent of the action member.

PATENTEU JUL 6 I971 M/VENTOR ATHELSTA/V fT .SP/LHAUS ATTORNEYS.

WEADED CHAIN-DIESCENDING TOY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to amusement devices. More particularly, it pertains to a toy, which may be in figure form, adapted to descend a beaded chain to provide a source of amusement and to serve as a basis for competition between two or more such devices.

2. Prior Art As is well known by those engaged in the toy art, devices which convert potential energy into kinetic energy and utilize said kinetic energy for producing motion are popular with children. They can watch such devices in operation for hours on end. Also, when two or more of such devices are supplied, as in kit form, a basis is laid for competition and racing.

In the prior art there are various patented acrobatic figure toys which climb and descend elongated members. These are disclosed in patents including, for example, US. Pat. No. 350,766; 572,166; 2,149,677; 2,313,158; 2,518,041; 2,550,065; 2,572,752; and 2,669,087. However, none of the toys disclosed involves the use of a beaded chain wherein the regular spacing of the beads provides a basis for descent of the device in fixed increments and where an oscillatory lateral shifting occurs which triggers such an incremental descent.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to'provide an amusement device which descends a beaded chain.

It is a further object of the invention to provide two or more such devices which can be mounted for side-by-side racing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for converting potential energy into kinetic energy in increments.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a figure toy, adapted to descend a tensioned beaded chain, wherein the rate of descent of the figure toy can be controlled by varying the period ofa cantilevered pendulumlike portion thereof.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an amusement device which is cheap to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy and full proof to operate, has no moving parts and possesses a great play value.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the description which follows, when read in conjunction with the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 represents a fragmentary elevation of two identical embodiments of the invention in racing position.

FIG. 2 represents a fragmentary enlargement of a portion of FIG. 1 as it would appear during operation ofthe device.

FIG. 3 represents a section taken along line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 represents a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 5 represents a fragmentary enlarged sectional detail of a clamping device used in the modification shown in FIG. 5 taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 4.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An amusement device comprising a vertically oriented beaded chain; means tensioning said chain, an action member comprising a pair of loops joined by an intermediate connector which has a length such that when one loop is positioned around one of said beads the other is positioned between two of said beads, each loop having an internal diameter larger than the major diameter of said beads, and an oscillator mounted on said connector which rocks said loops alternately laterally thereby enabling incremental descent of said action member down said chain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive illustrate the basic invention. It comprises a beaded chain, generally A, and an action member generally B adapted to descend chain A. Chain A is a conventional beaded chain comprising a plurality of spheres I0 having a uniform and equal diameter. These spheres are pivotally connected by a plurality of straight linkages 11. Such chains are conventional and are readily available in a wide range of sphere diameters and spacings. In any event, the chain per se forms no part of the invention.

In the embodiments shown, means are provided for tensioning the chain. Such means may include, for example, the provision at the distal end of the chain of an eye 12 which is removably mounted on a hook 13 which, in turn, is supported in a fixed overhead member 14 (e.g. a ceiling). The proximal end of chain A is provided with a weight 15 which may be spherical and which also serves to limit the downward travel of action member B.

The action member shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive includes two spaced-apart loops, an upper or distal loop 16 and a lower or proximal loop 17. These loops have two essential characteristics. First, they are equal in size. Second, their internal diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of spheres 10. These relationships must exist if the device is to operate in the manner which will be discussed below. Loops l6 and 17 are maintained in generally parallel spacecl apart relationship by a longitudinally extending connector 18. The length of member 18 is not critical nor, for that matter, is its shape (as will be seen when FIG. 4 is discussed). Its primary function is to keep loops 16 and 17 in fixed generally parallel spaced-apart relationship. However, it also serves as a point of origin for a cantilevered resilient oscillator 19. To the end of the oscillator, remote from member 18, is affixed a bob 20 and it is the oscillator which permits the descent to occur. It does this by causing lateral reciprocal displacement of action member B to cause alternate engagement and disengagement thereof with chain A.

Operation of the device will now be discussed. Assume that action member B is the condition of repose shown in full line in FIG. 1. In that position oscillator 19 is bent downwardly by the weight of bob 20. Further, because of the location of the center of gravity of action member B, connector 18 and loops l6 and 17 are canted. In this position, loop 16 is coaxial with a major diameter of one of spheres 10. However, loop 17, which is not coaxial with a major diameter of one of the spheres is, instead, in engagement with one of the linkages 11 and the sphere beneath serves as a detent. Downward movement is thus prevented because of the vertical misalignment between loops 16 and 17. In order to enable member B to descend chain A, it is necessary to flick bob 20 upward to the position shown in phantom in FIG. 1 so as to initiate oscillation of oscillator 19. This may be achieved by manual manipulation of bob 20 or, alternatively, by jiggling weight 15 so as to impart suitable oscillatory motion to bob 20.

Midway between the lower extreme of travel of bob 20 (shown in full line in FIG. 1) and the upward extreme of travel (shown in full line in FIG. 2) the oscillator assumes the position shown in phantom in FIG. 2. In this position, loops l6 and 17 are in coaxial vertical alignment with chain A. In this position, both of the disengaged loops can pass over the major diameter of a sphere l0 and consequently, in this position only, is descent of action member B on chain A possible. However, once this position has been passed, in either of the directions indicated by the arcuate arrows in FIG. 2, descent is halted. In the upper extreme of travel shown in full line in FIG.

2 it is loop 16 which is in engagement with a linkage 11 and Loops l6 and 17 should be preferably spaced apart a distance such that when one loop is on a major diameter of a sphere the other cannot be. The rate of stepwise descent is a function of the period of oscillation of arm 19 The length of time during which descent continues is a function of the energy stored in the oscillator. it is because of these variables that a certain degree of skill may be required in order to cause member B to descend the entire length of chain A with minimum manipulation of bob 20. Consequently, two of the devices as shown in FIG. 1 are adapted to be raced one against the other. Assuming that the devices are identical in every respect the outcome will still not be assured because of differences in skill between the players. Obviously, oscillator 19 and bob 20 can be designed so as to make it necessary to manipulate the bob several times along the length of chain A and thus assure a competitive situation as distinguished from a choice of parameters whereby a single manipulation will enable action member B to descend the entire length of the chain. Downward travel ofmember B ceases when it abuts weight 15. By manually placing loops 16 and 17 in coaxial alignment with chain A, member B can then be moved up the chain to the top and the process described above repeated.

A modification whereby the nature of the oscillation can be varied depending upon the desires of the user is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In that modification of action member B a FIG. 21 is provided which may take any suitable form and which, functionally, is the equivalent of connector 18. As shown here, the figure is a monkey. This figure is provided with a distal upper loop 22 and a proximal lower loop 23 and further includes means for varying the period of oscillation. These means include a rigid extension 24 of FIG. 21 to which there may be adjustably attached, as with a clamp 25, an oscillator 26 having appended thereto a bob 27. As may be seen in FIG. 5, the amount of overlap between extension 24 and oscillator 26 can be adjusted so that the degree ofcantilever of the oscillator with respect to the extension can be varied. Such variation changes the period of oscillation and, consequently, changes the descent characteristics of member B. With respect to all characteristics of this modification not specifically discussed, it is identical to the action member discussed in connection with FlGS. l to 3 inclusive.

lclaim:

1. An amusement device comprising a vertically oriented beaded chain; means tensioning said chain, an action member mounted on said chain comprising a pair of loops joined by an intermediate connector which has a length such that when one loop is positioned around one of said beads the other is positioned between two of said beads, and an oscillator mounted on said connector which rocks said loops alternatively laterally thereby enabling incremental descent of said action member down said chain.

2. The amusement device according to claim 1 wherein the length of said intermediate connector is such that when one loop surrounds a major diameter of a bead, the other is positioned between two adjacent other beads.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said connector is in the form ofa figure.

4. The device of claim 1 which further includes means for changing the period of oscillation of said oscillator.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said means for changing the period of oscillation comprises a rigid longitudinally extending portion on said connector; a resilient longitudinally extending member cantilevered from said connector portion and in variable juxtaposition therewith; and a clamp for keeping said rigid and said flexible members in releasable engagement, whereby the amount of overlap of said members and, consequently, the period of oscillation can be varied.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said oscillator comprises a longitudinally extending resilient member cantilevered from said connector and a bob mounted on the free end of said resilient member.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said connector is in the form ofa figure. I

8. The device of claim 6 which furtherincludes means for changing the period of oscillation of said oscillator.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said means for changing the period of oscillation comprises a rigid longitudinally extending portion on said connector; a resilient longitudinally extending member supported from said connector portion and in variable juxtaposition therewith; and a clamp for keeping said rigid and said flexible members in contact, whereby the amount of overlap of said members and, consequently, the period of oscillation can be varied. 

1. An amusement device comprising a vertically oriented beaded chain; means tensioning said chain, an action member mounted on said chain comprising a pair of loops joined by an intermediate connector which has a length such that when one loop is positioned around one of said beads the other is positioned between two of said beads, and an oscillator mounted on said connector which rocks said loops alternatively laterally thereby enabling incremental descent of said action member down said chain.
 2. The amusement device according to claim 1 wherein the length of said intermediate connector is such that when one loop surrounds a major diameter of a bead, the other is positionEd between two adjacent other beads.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said connector is in the form of a figure.
 4. The device of claim 1 which further includes means for changing the period of oscillation of said oscillator.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said means for changing the period of oscillation comprises a rigid longitudinally extending portion on said connector; a resilient longitudinally extending member cantilevered from said connector portion and in variable juxtaposition therewith; and a clamp for keeping said rigid and said flexible members in releasable engagement, whereby the amount of overlap of said members and, consequently, the period of oscillation can be varied.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein said oscillator comprises a longitudinally extending resilient member cantilevered from said connector and a bob mounted on the free end of said resilient member.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said connector is in the form of a figure.
 8. The device of claim 6 which further includes means for changing the period of oscillation of said oscillator.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein said means for changing the period of oscillation comprises a rigid longitudinally extending portion on said connector; a resilient longitudinally extending member supported from said connector portion and in variable juxtaposition therewith; and a clamp for keeping said rigid and said flexible members in contact, whereby the amount of overlap of said members and, consequently, the period of oscillation can be varied. 